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The Leonard Lopate Show

Tuesday, August 16, 2005
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    Peter Waldman of the Wall Street Journal tells us about a new study by the CDC that found surprising levels of trace industrial chemicals in Americans’ bloodstreams. Then, we’ll hear about the revival of the Tony Award-winning musical Two Gentleman of Verona. Johnny Temple of Akashic Books describes the upcoming Fort Greene Park Summer Literary Festival. And in our regular Please Explain feature, we’ll get answers to some of the questions you're too embarrassed to ask your doctor.

Tracing Chemicals

A toxic component of rocket fuel is showing up in drinking water, on lettuce—even in women's breast milk. Wall Street Journal reporter Peter Waldman looks at a new CDC study which reveals that dozens of chemicals are showing up in Americans’ bloodstreams.

Music:
“The Kite,” and “The Chess,” from Finding Neverland Soundtrack, with original music composed by Jan A.P. Kaczmarek, a Miramax Films release

Two Gentlemen of Verona

John Guare, Mel Shapiro, and Galt MacDermot tell us about the revival of Two Gentlemen of Verona, which won a Tony for Best Musical in 1972.
» More on Two Gentleman of Verona

Music:
Opening number from the musical, “Two Gentlemen of Verona” (not available)

Fort Greene Park Summer Literary Festival

Johnny Temple of Akashic Books is the co-organizer of the new Fort Greene Park Summer Literary Festival. Young writers from age eight to eighteen who have participated in free, summer-long creative writing workshops will read their works along with Sonia Sanchez and Amiri Baraka on August 20th.
» More on the Fort Greene Park Summer Literary Festival

Music:
“Slow Drag” and “Habanera” from the album Jump Start and Jazz: Two Ballets by Wynton Marsalis, a Sony Music Entertainment release

Please Explain: Why Do Men Have Nipples

In our regular Please Explain feature, Dr. Billy Goldberg answers some of the medical questions you’ve always wondered about, but have never had a chance to ask a doctor—from what causes ice cream headaches to does it really take seven years to digest chewing gum? Dr. Goldberg is co-author of Why Do Men Have Nipples?

Music:
“Into a Trance” and “Sonatine 1” from Sonatine Sountrack, original music composed by Joe Hisaishi, a Miramax Films release

» Please Explain series

Tributes: Jeanne-Claude

The Leonard Lopate Show

Jeanne-Claude created environmental works of art with her husband and fellow-conspirator/collaborator Christo. Together, they wrapped the Reichstag in Berlin, the Pont-Neuf in Paris, and created The Gates, with billowy orange drapes, in Central Park. Jeanne-Claude just died at the age of 74. You can hear Leonard Lopate’s last interview with them both, from July 19, 1999.

Let’s Go Swimming!

The Leonard Lopate Show

According to the Centers for Disease Control, bacterial, viral, and parasitic organisms found in recreational water in the United States sicken thousands of people every year, and even result in deaths. We’ll speak with chemist and industrial hygienist Monona Rossol about the protozoa, amoebas and other things that love to go swimming with us. Monona is also founder and President of Arts, Crafts and Theater Safety.

Frank McCourt

The Leonard Lopate Show

Frank McCourt has been a guest many times on this show over the years, starting in 1996 for the memoir, Angela’s Ashes, that would earn him a Pulitzer Prize. Fame came to him late in life, after he’d retired at the age of 65 from teaching English and creative writing at public schools here in New York. He was a sweet, eloquent man who spoke with grace and humility; he just died at the age of 78 after a battle with cancer. You can hear him speaking with Leonard Lopate for his Survival Kit in 2000, and in 2005, for his memoir, Teacher Man.

Science and Faith

The Leonard Lopate Show

Earlier this week, Pres. Obama announced that he plans to nominate geneticist Dr. Francis Collins to lead the National Institutes of Health. You can listen to Leonard’s 2006 conversation with Dr. Collins about how he reconciles his personal faith with his professional scientific knowledge.

FDA to Regulate Tobacco?

The Leonard Lopate Show

May 14, 2009
Congress is getting ready to a vote on whether to make tobacco subject to FDA regulation. You can listen to a segment we did in May about the bill and what it would mean for the cigarette companies.

Our 3-ingredient Challenge wins a James Beard Award

The Leonard Lopate Show

On May 3, the Lopate Show won its third James Beard Award for our 3-ingredient challenge. In August, we asked our listeners to call in and name 3 ingredients and then challenged New York chef and 3-ingredient expert Rozanne Gold to whip up a recipe! You can listen to the 3-ingredient challenge and get some inspiration for simple, delicious, and unexpected dishes.

Leonard is on Facebook

Now Leonard is on Facebook! We’re posting photos, status updates, links to notable interviews, and lots more. Check it out.

Barack Obama, Circa 2004

The Leonard Lopate Show

Listen to President-Elect Barack Obama on the Leonard Lopate Show in November 2004. He had recently won a seat in the U.S. Senate, and only a few months before, his rousing speech during the 2004 Democratic National Convention catapulted him into the national spotlight.